My Dad loved to lead singing.  One of the most beloved songs he led many times popped into my mind this Monday morning  –  Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.  My Dad and Mom had that ability, to look on the bright side of things.  I recall how it felt when in the mission church at Carpenter’s Park near our home, Dad rose to his feet and sang this song!  He and Mom were not strangers to upsets, setbacks and disappointments, but they did not concentrate on that but on what God is doing.  This little chorus asks us to step back a bit and see the big picture – the grace of God.  As we did so the words of this song rang true, “Count your blessings.”  Not, what can you blame others for?  What makes you unhappy?  Those feelings are banished by this little song of trust!  I thank my father, long gone, for concentrating on what God has done, not on why things are going wrong.

That is the chorus, the first verse is –

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

And then that chorus!

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

A little song can do the soul good beyond measure!